Florida Panthers Seek Goaltending Solutions After Brady Tkachuk Trade

The Florida Panthers made headlines across the NHL on Sunday with the acquisition of Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, a move that reinforces their status as one of the league’s elite teams and solid Stanley Cup contenders. Tkachuk’s addition brings a wealth of skill and depth to an already impressive roster, but it also highlights a pressing issue that remains unaddressed: the goaltending position.

Currently, the Panthers find themselves without any signed NHL goaltenders for the 2026-27 season. While this situation is likely to change in the near future, the recent trade for Tkachuk complicates Florida’s financial flexibility regarding goaltending. As it stands, the Panthers have just over $7 million in salary cap space to navigate their next moves, according to PuckPedia.

With veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and contract negotiations reportedly stalled, General Manager Bill Zito may need to explore options outside the organization to fill this critical gap. Fortunately for Zito, he leads a talented Goaltending Excellence Department, headed by Roberto Luongo, which has successfully identified and developed solid goaltending talent in the past.

Florida’s goalie guild has a track record of finding effective netminders who fit the team’s system, including Alex Lyon, Anthony Stolarz, Devon Levi, Vitek Vanecek, and Daniil Tarasov. However, last summer, they missed out on Brandon Bussi, who was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes after they attempted to send him to AHL Charlotte.

As Zito evaluates his options, two high-profile goaltenders could be available via trade: Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues. Hellebuyck carries a hefty average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million through the 2030-31 season, while Binnington is on a $6 million AAV entering the final year of his contract. Given that Florida has already used their first-round picks to acquire Tkachuk, parting with the assets needed to secure Hellebuyck seems unlikely.

Binnington, however, may be a more feasible target, although Florida would likely need to shed additional salary or negotiate a deal with St. Louis to retain some of Binnington’s salary. Alternatively, Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames could emerge as a cost-effective option. The 29-year-old, who was Calgary’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy last season, posted a respectable 2.69 goals against average and .909 save percentage despite playing behind a defensively challenged team.

Cooley’s size (6-foot-5, 192 pounds) and agility align with what the Panthers have sought in goaltenders. His reasonable $1.35 million AAV through the 2027-28 season makes him an attractive option for a team looking to maximize its cap space.

Florida is also expected to explore this year’s class of expiring contracts, with notable names like Vanecek and Tarasov hitting free agency. Another familiar face that could be on their radar is Stuart Skinner, formerly of the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Skinner, a positionally sound goaltender with playoff experience, could be a budget-friendly addition given his size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and skill set.

If Zito and his goaltending experts decide to pursue Skinner, Cooley, or another target, it could provide the Panthers with a viable solution in net while maintaining financial flexibility under the cap. As the NHL Draft approaches this Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, followed closely by the opening of free agency on July 1, the Panthers’ front office will be busy laying the groundwork for the next phase of their roster development.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.